The Gladiators’ Love

  By Lacey Carter Andersen

  Copyright 2017

  Published by Lacey Carter Andersen

  This work of fiction is intended for mature audience only. All characters are over the age of eighteen. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ASIN B07953MPVS

  This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author.

  To Sosha- what in the world did I do before I had your help?

  Thank you so much for all the things you do to make my life easier.

  You are an incredible person, and I’m so happy to call you ‘friend.’

  ~ Lacey Carter Andersen

  Chapter One

  Lana rushed forward toward the unlocked gate of their prisons, keeping pace with her gladiators who surrounded her. Their big bodies radiated heat, and the sound of their heavy breathing filled her ears. Glancing at their faces, filled with certainty and determination, she wanted to feel the same. But she was afraid.

  Are we really part of a rebellion? We can’t possibly be successful.

  And yet, what other choice are we left with?

  Her mind ran through the many challenges a rebellion would face. The slaves who would still fight for their masters. The guards with their training and weapon. And the high walls that surrounded the city.

  She’d never believed a slave rebellion could be successful.

  But, she also couldn’t believe any force could stand in the way of her gladiators.

  They have been slaves for a lifetime and have found the strength to rise up against their masters. I’ve only been a slave for a short time. Surely I can be brave too?

  When they reached the practice area, Hesperos moved to the chests where their real weapons were kept locked up. Pulling a key out, he undid the locks, and the gladiators selected weapons without hesitation.

  They’ve planned for everything.

  Almost the second they were done, guards came pouring out of the stairway leading to the Senator’s house. She stepped back, fumbling clumsily in the bag Adonis had given her. It took her only a moment to find the dagger and pull it from its sheath.

  Although her heart beat far too frantically in her chest and her hands shook, her warriors fought without hesitation. The sounds of swords striking swords filled the air.

  She watched in awed shocked as Adonis severed one man’s head from his body. Palaemon faced two men, but he dodged and avoided their blows with each, killing both within moments.

  And then, all their opponents were dead.

  Hesperos rushed back to where she stood and took her hand. “Come on, and stay close.”

  They lead her up the stairs. She didn’t know what she expected, but there were several dead bodies as they moved through the tall rooms. Some were slaves. Some were guards.

  Sweat beaded her brow. But instead of heading out to the city, her gladiators took her up the stairs. It wasn’t until they broke open a door, and she found the Senator crouched in the corner with four guards positioned around him that she realized what was happening.

  We don’t have time for this. Once the city guards are released on the city, my warriors won’t have a chance to escape. They’ll be sealed in.

  And executed for taking part in the rebellion.

  “Hesperos—“

  “Quiet,” he whispered gently.

  The twins, Elias and Damon, stepped forward. Their faces no longer held the grins she’d grown accustomed to. They looked like fearful men with a taste for blood.

  “We promised our woman your life for hurting her,” Damon said, the strands of his long blond hair casting shadows over his face as he spoke. “And we intended to keep our promise.”

  The Senator’s dark gaze moved over the room full of warriors, and then to her. She knew it the moment he realized there was no chance he would survive. His lips curled back.

  “She’s a witch who has all of you spell-bound. What do you think will happen after you kill me? Do you really think she’ll choose one of you to marry?” He laughed, sweat running down his forehead. “She’ll use you and toss you away.”

  A darkness fell over Elias’ face. “Are those truly the last words you wish to speak before we send you to Tartaros?”

  The Senator shoved one of his guards forward. The man swung his blade out at Elias, and it was promptly knocked from his grip. Elias sent a sword through his stomach, dispatching the man without a word.

  Seeing their companion slide to the floor, the life disappearing from his eyes, seemed to awaken the other three guards. They charged. A pathetic excuse for an attack, and Lana looked away, knowing what was to come. Metal clanged against metal. Someone screamed. Grunts and cries filled the air, followed by the overwhelming scent of coppery blood.

  And then, everything grew silent.

  Slowly looking back, she tried to keep her gaze from the dead bodies on the floor. Unfortunately, that meant her gaze connected squarely with the Senator.

  “I can give you anything you want,” the cowardly man whispered, curling further into the corner. “Money, lands… women. Anything! Please, just---“

  The dagger that went through his throat promptly cut off his speech.

  Cadmus moved forward, gripped the hilt of it, and drove it harder into the Senator. Pulling his dagger free, he let the dead man hit the floor.

  Turning his cold eyes back to her, his words were harsh. “We don’t have time to play with him. The others will need our help.”

  “The others?” she asked, feeling confused. “What others? Aren’t we escaping the city?”

  Cadmus’ eyes narrowed. “Of course not. This is a rebellion.”

  Her stomach turned. “But…”

  We can’t take down the whole city. We need to escape.

  Adonis took her arm gently and turned her back toward the door, as they others rushed back to the main part of the house. “This isn’t about escaping, my sweet Lana. This is about ending the slavery of our people. It’s about freedom. Tonight it isn’t just our city that rebels, but all of them.”

  But what of my friends? Of my father?

  Nausea bubbled up inside her. She’d always wanted the slaves to be free. She’d just never thought about the price that would need to be paid. The many people who will have to die.

  “If anyone asks you, you’re a slave,” Adonis whispered in her ear. “Stay close. And do not be afraid, we’ll keep you safe.”

  She barely heard him as Bion and Kosmas smashed open the door to the city. Instead, she was pulled out into pure chaos. The city was burning. Fights were raging in the streets.

  So this is war.

  Chapter Two

  Lana’s warriors moved through the streets like gods of death. Anyone who challenged them died. Slaves cheered them as they fought, and she got the unmistakable feeling that her gladiators were the leaders of the rebellion trail of bodies. Adonis and Tobias took her inside, and the others continued on through the streets.

  Panic rose within her. “We shouldn’t separate!”

  Tobias shook his head as they reached her door. “Our responsibility is to see that you live through the night. They must continue the battle.”

  “No,” she denied him.

  The deaths. The fires. The smell of burning flesh lingering in the air. It was all horrible. More horrible than anything she imagined.

  And yet, she couldn’t stand the thought of her men fighting without her by their sides. What if they’re hurt?

  Adonis pounded at her large door. There was a scurry of noise inside, and nothing more.

  “It’s—it’s me!” she shouted.

  A second later, she heard the chains coming undone. One of her servants peeked out, her eyes widening as they came across Adonis and Tobias.

  “It’s okay. They’re here to protect us.”

  Her servant opened the door wider, and they rushed in.

  On the other side of the door, the dozen people who ran her household were gathered together. Every man, woman, and child she’d bought and given freedom to. And every one of them looked frightened beyond words.

  “Everything is going to be okay,” she reassured them, finding her words.

  Sedrai shook her head. “My lady, there’s a rebellion. Both of the houses surrounding ours have already been overrun. We watched from the windows. If they come here…”

  Realization hit her. Her people weren’t slaves. What would the rebels do if they bashed down her door? Would they hurt them?

  “I have a place we can hide.”

  Adonis nodded. “Conceal yourselves. We shall stand guard.”

  She froze. What am I doing? No matter how much I might wish to keep my gladiators safely at my side, it endangers the others to do so.

  I have to let them go.

  She turned back to him, overwhelmed by the concern in his incredible green eyes. “You should go and help the others.”

  “No.” He answered without pausing.

  Tobias crossed his big arms over his chest. “Our job is to protect you.”

  If only I could do the same for you.

  “If enemies see you standing guard, they might suspect you protect me. It would be mo

re dangerous for you to stay.”

  Silence stretched between them.

  Tobias looked to the front door and back to her, indecision in his gaze.

  “Your brothers need you tonight,” she said, knowing the words that would get them to leave her side. “I need every one of you to survive the night.”

  Adonis hesitated for another moment, then leaned down and gave her the gentlest kiss. “From your mouth to the ears of the gods.”

  Tobias brushed a kiss against her cheek. “Bolt the doors and hide. We’ll return for you when the city is won.”

  She followed them to the door, watching for one brief moment as the two large men went out into the burning night. Saying a prayer, she wiped away the tears that ran down her cheeks, and then closed the door and bolted it.

  Time to lead my people.

  “Follow me,” she said.

  Her servants followed her up to her room. Once there, she pushed aside one of the large shelves of book to reveal the room beyond. They crammed in together. Fitting, but just barely. Grabbing her jewelry chest off her dressing table, she squeezed in with them and closed the door.

  Please, please let all of us survive the night.

  Chapter Three

  Lana trembled alongside her servants as they listened to the door being bashed down. They held their breath as they heard the shouts of men and the sounds of the house being torn to pieces. And when the men entered her room, she swore terror held them all in place as they prayed not to be discovered.

  It was a long night. The longest of her life.

  She felt responsible for each and every person in her household. But she also thought of her twelve handsome warriors, wondering if they were safe. Hoping they would keep their promise and return to her in the morning.

  Many, many hours passed. The rebels left her house. For a long time everything remained dark and quiet. She and her household sank to the ground in their tiny room. The children drifted off to sleep, while she was sure the adults stayed awake, staring into nothingness, just as she did.

  When a long time later, she heard the smallest sounds of people in her house, she held her breath. Have my gladiators returned, or is it an enemy?

  But that was when she heard her name. Soft. Concerned.

  Solon.

  She unlatched the lock on their hiding place and slid open the shelf. There, in the center of her torn up room, was Solon. The dark scar on his face looked strangely darker with the blood splattered across his flesh. His stomach was bound and dark circles were visible under his eyes.

  And yet, he was alive.

  She ran to him.

  He dropped his sword and pulled her into his arms.

  “You’re alive! Thank the gods!” She squeezed him tighter, feeling tears prick her eyes. Pulling back, she met his dark gaze. “And the others?”

  He looked away from her, to stare at some place behind her head. “They’re downstairs.”

  Her people slowly came out of the room, and she led them down the stairs, her heart in her throat. Solon wasn’t telling her something. She wouldn’t feel right until she saw each of her men alive.

  “Gladiators!” she shouted, hurrying down the stairs. “Adonis, Tobias, Palaemon, Bion Orestes, Macedon, Kosmas, Cadmus, Hesperos, Elias, Damon!”

  They came out from every hall and corner, every one of them looking relieved. She hugged and kissed each one in turn, not caring that tears raced down her face. They had survived! They looked beaten and bloody, but they had survived!

  And then, she froze. “Where’s Adonis?”

  The room grew still.

  “Cadmus!” She grabbed the warrior, squeezing his forearm in her small hands. “Where is he?”

  His head dropped. He looked at the other men as if seeking their permission. “He got the door to the city open. He saved countless lives. He—“

  “Where is he?”

  He gestured to one of the small servants rooms.

  Unable to think, she simply ran, throwing open the door. On a pallet on the floor, he lay unmoving. His eyes closed. His flesh pale.

  “No,” she whispered, collapsing onto her knees before him.

  She sensed the others behind her, but she ignored them. Reaching out, she touched his chest. There! His chest rose and fell, ever-so-slightly.

  “He lives!” she turned to the others, excited beyond words.

  Orestes gave her a sad smile. “But not for long.”

  Her teeth clenched together. “I will not let him die. Do you hear me?”

  “Lana—“

  “Sedrai!” she shouted. “Find me any healing supplies you can! Reger, boil water. Hepheta, I need clean rags!”

  Her servants raced to obey her command. Behind her, her warriors spoke, and she knew they were trying to stop her. But she ignored all of them. Pulling back Adonis’ sheet, she gasped at the slashes across his entire body.

  He was losing a lot of blood. Too much blood. And it was clear his leg was broken.

  She swallowed, hard. No matter the odds, I won’t let him die.

  Working throughout the day and long into the night, she focused every ounce of her attention on Adonis, while her servants cared for the wounds of her other gladiators. There were so many times she’d feared Adonis had stopped breathing, but then he’d give a ragged, shallow breath, and her heart would start once more.

  By morning, he was clean and stitched up.

  She had done all she could for his body. So as the sun rose, she knelt by his window and did the only thing she could: she prayed.

  Chapter Four

  When they left the city, Lana rode within a carriage, and her gladiators had adorned the clothes of her household guards. They were hopefully well-equipped enough to make it to their destination, but now, they had to be afraid of both attacks from the Romans and the newly freed slaves.

  The odds are stacked against us that we’ll survive. And yet, she felt more hopeful for the future than she ever had before.

  Adonis stirred in her arms, his eyes creaking open.

  Instantly, she reached for water and poured it into his mouth.

  After a few seconds, she drew the flask back. “More?”

  He shook his head. “I have not been babied this way since I was a small child.”

  She tried to scowl. “Well next time I expect you to try not to injure yourself so badly!”

  He laughed. “Yes, my lady.”

  When he tried to rise, she carefully helped him. It had only been a week since the others had been certain of his death. Now, he seemed to think he was invincible, and she was determined that he take it easy.

  “How are the others?” he asked, wincing as he leaned fully back.

  “Better than you.”

  He gazed at her, raising a brow. “I’m fine.”

  “You are not!”

  Leaning forward, he kissed her and everything within her tightened. When he pulled back she found she was out of breath.

  “Shall I prove my abilities?”

  Heat pooled at her core. He need more time! “I’ll take your word for it.”

  He looked disappointed, but leaned back once more, closing his eyes. “What have they heard?”

  “Every person we pass speaks of the rebellion, and each of their cities have been taken over by slaves.”

  He spoke without opening his eyes. “They’re free men now.”

  She shook her head with disbelief. “But what will our world be like now? Are all my people dead? Will the rebels take over everything?”

  “I’m not sure. But for now, our plan is a good one. It means you’ll be safe.”

  She stiffened, ready to argue for the millionth time. “And all of you!”

  His brilliant green eyes opened, and there was a sadness to them, but instead of openly arguing, he simply said, “we’ll see.”

  Chapter Five

  Godeis was even more beautiful than she remembered. Her manor, located in a small village on the shore, was completely untouched by the war.

  But then, it was a place without slaves.

  Her people welcomed her and her gladiators with open arms. And she very quickly made herself at home. Their future, she felt, was finally certain. They could be together. And they could have happiness.

 

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